Service Updates & Upcoming Public Holidays – w/c 5th December

Here you will find the latest UK & global service updates and a list of upcoming worldwide public holidays. This is updated throughout the week with latest information available.

UK Service Updates

Normal deliveries & collections of mail should be made in most parts of the UK today.

International Service Updates

Australia – Australia Post have informed us that the union within representing staff within the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) and the Department of Agriculture, has announced protected industrial action between the 26th of September and the 9th of October. The strike action will lead to delay on the receipt of all inbound mail, as the border clearance process will be delayed when the staff walk off. There can also be impact on items held for clearance.

UPDATE:We have been informed that the above strike, originally scheduled to end on 9th October, has been extended until 16th October. Ongoing (issue start date: 26/09/16 – updated 07/10/16)

Australia – We have been advised that severe weather in South Australia has been affecting the collection and delivery of all mail products since 28th September. Delays to mail delivery may occur in the affected areas. Ongoing (issue start date: 28/09/16)

Austria – We have been notified that Klagenfurt Airport (KLU) closed to all air traffic on the 12th September for essential runway maintenance work. The reopening is planned for 4 October. The delivery times of mail sent to Austria may be affected. Ongoing (issue start date: 12/09/16)

Barbados – The designated operator of Barbados, Barbados Postal Service, has advised that the Grantley Adams International Airport has been experiencing industrial action since 24 November 2016, which is affecting mail facility operations and the delivery of all postal items. Please note that service delays are expected. Resolved (issue start date: 24/11/16)

Bermuda – The Bermuda Post Office has informed us that its postal operations have been suspended since 12th October 2016 as a result of the adverse weather conditions associated with the imminent passage of Hurricane Nicole. This has affected Bermuda Postal Service’s ability to send, receive and deliver mail to and from other countries by at least 48 hours. Ongoing (issue start date: 12/10/16)

Botswana – For the past week, since Monday 28th November, Botswana post has been experiencing issues with IT systems. This resulted in delays for both inbound and outbound processing. This issue has now been resolved and all services are fully operational. Ongoing (issue start date: 05/12/16)

Brazil – The designated postal operator of Brazil has informed us that the delivery of letter post mail is experiencing delays due to customs control and industrial action in Brazil. Delays are to be expected.

Chile – There will be delays in the processing of inbound and outbound mail as a result of the industrial action being taken by Chile’s customs staff from 20th – 21st October.

UPDATE: Further industrial action was undertaken but we have been informed that as of 17th November this has now ended. Please expect delays in the delivery of mail and parcels until the backlog has been cleared. Resolved (issue start date: 14/11/16 – updated 21/11/16)

China – Super Typhoon Meranti has caused a landslide South Eastern China and Taiwan. As result of this all mail operations will be affected in South East China and Taiwan for the foreseeable future.

UPDATE: In addition to the above, China Post have informed us that another typhoon (Megi) struck South Eastern China on 28th September. In addition to the original disruption, China Post have stated that the latest typhoon has caused disruption to the provinces of Fujian, Zhejiang and Guangdong (postcode areas: 310xxx, 318xxx, 323xxx, 325xxx, 350xxx, 351xxx, 361xxx, 362xxx, 510xxx, 515xxx, 521xxx, 530xxx, 570xxx, 571xxx and 572xxx). Ongoing (issue start date: 14/09/16 – updated 03/10/16)

China – China Post have informed us that owing to unprecedented volumes of parcels imported into Shanghai and Guangzhou, there are currently a number of issues with China Customs, resulting in large backlogs in their facilities. These problems are compounded by the high delivery volume within China, resulting in delays in mail delivery. Ongoing (issue start date: 14/07/16)

China – Adverse weather conditions have caused disruption to air traffic in China. The airports of Zhengzhou Xinzheng International (CGO) and Beijing Capital International (PEK) have been particlularly affected. Ongoing (issue start date: 20/11/16)

Costa Rica – There are delays on all services to Costa Rica following torrential rain and strong winds, especially in the northern and Caribbean regions of the country, as a result of Hurricane Otto. This extreme weather has affected transportation infrastructure (roads, bridges and ports), and has also impacted the national postal network. Resolved (issue start date: 21/11/16)

Ecuador – Due to the recent major earthquake in Ecuador, delays are expected in mail services.Ongoing (issue start date: 16/04/16)

France – We have been informed that a project to modernize the air traffic control center in Bordeaux is taking place from 17th November to 30th November. This is expected to cause flight delays at southwestern airports, impacting flights arriving and departing from Biarritz, Bordeaux, Nantes, Pau, Tarbes, and Toulouse airports. This could affect mail delivery services.Ongoing (issue start date: 17/11/16)

Greece – Civil servants union ADEDY has announced a 1-day strike. Public transportation is likely to be affected. Air traffic controllers and airline staff at Olympic and Aegean Airlines might join as well. The Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) will also stage a nationwide 1-day strike, affecting ferry services. Resolved (issue start date: 24/11/16)

Greece – The designated operator of Greece, Hellenic Post S.A., has advised that the Association of Civil Servants and the Confederation of Greek Workers have announced a 24-hour strike on Thursday, 8 December 2016 which will affect both international and domestic mail collection and delivery. Please note that service delays are expected. Ongoing (issue start date: 8/12/16)

Guatemala – Owing to a dispute between the State and the mail delivery company Mail Guatemala there are delays in the delivery of mail in Guatemala.

UPDATE:Due to staffing and logistical issues, we have been informed that there is a temporary suspension of international mail services schedule for between the 21st November 2016 and 15th January 2017. As a result, none of our suppliers will be able to dispatch mail to Guatemala between these dates. Ongoing (issue start date: 13/06/16 – updated 9/12/16)

India – Due to reconstruction work on the runways at Mumbai airport (BOM), air traffic is restricted. Between October 18 and 28, every Tuesday and Thursday air traffic will be operated from 12:00 to 17:00 on a smaller runway. From October 28 to November 30, both runways will be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This may cause delays to mail transmitting Mumbai airport. Resolved (issue start date: 18/10/16)

Israel – We have been informed that on 28th November, there were large scale fires in the area around the city of Haifa causing problems for the collection and deliveryof mail. Postal services have now returned back to normal in the area around the city. Resolved (issue start date: 28/11/16)

Italy – There may be delays in the delivery of mail affecting the following postcode areas, 02XXX, 06XXX, 63XXX and 67XXX. This is due to the earthquake on 24th August. Ongoing (issue start date: 24/08/16)

UPDATE: Further to the above, on the 27th October, some parts of central Italy were affected by an earthquake and consequently delays may occur to deliveries and collections in the 62XXX and 06XXX post areas. Ongoing (issue start date: 24/08/16 – updated 1st November)

Japan – Japan is strengthening their customs inspection of inbound mail as part of counter-terrorism measures. Therefore, Japan Post has requested all items containing goods are accompanied by the required documents. Please attach a customs declaration form to postal items containing goods, and provide accurate information on the contents for customs declaration. Failure to comply with this request could lead to delays or the return of mail items sent to Japan. Ongoing (issue start date: 29/03/16)

Japan – A powerful earthquake hit northeastern Japan triggering a series of tidal waves and a small tsunami along the coast which also hit the Fukushima region. Delays in mail delivery services are expected. Ongoing (issue start date: 22/11/16)

New Zealand – There may be delays in many parts of the South Island and lower part of the North Island. This is due to the earthquake that occurred in Hanmer Springs on South Island.

UPDATE – Deliveries of mail and parcels are still taking place with minor delays occurring to all of the South Island and to the Wellington region (postcodes 5000 – 9999). There are a few small areas (such as Wellington CBD and Kaikoura) that have had no deliveries at all due to infrastructure damage, but these are relatively small areas. Wellington CBD will have deliveries again from today. Resolved (issue start date: 13/11/16 – updated 21/11/16)

Peru – An earthquake hit southern Peru causing numerous buildings to collapse and roads to be blocked in the Arequipa region. The quake caused damage throughout the Colca Valley and several areas have been cut off. Mail and parcel delivery delays should be expected in the affected areas. Ongoing (issue start date: 08/08/16)

Portugal – The Portuguese federation of workers’ union (civil servants) has announced it is going to strike on the 18th November. This could result in delays in mail delivery services. Ongoing (issue start date: 18/11/16)

Russia – There is currently a temporary embargo on Russia from most suppliers as most airlines are no remaining capacity. We have been informed that this has been the case since the end of November and delays should be expected. Ongoing (issue start date: 05/12/16)

Saudi Arabia – It has been advised that, with immediate effect, Saudi Arabian Customs has introduced some changes for all Non-Document shipments sent to Saudi Arabia. All B2C shipments that contain materials other than documents/printed matter will require the Consignee’s ID number. Where this is not provided, the parcel may be delayed in clearing customs until the ID number is obtained from the consignee. All B2B shipments of non-document materials will require a Commercial Registration Form from the consignee. This will be requested from the consignee when arriving in the country and upon receipt of the form, the parcel can be cleared through customs. Ongoing (issue start date: 15/04/16)

Spain – Large parts of the Costa de Sol in Spain have been hit by severe weather. Many roads in Málaga, Marbella, Cártama und Alhaurín de la Torre were completely flooded. Postal services may be affected. Ongoing (issue start date: 08/12/16)

Sweden – Whilst improving, due to the heavy snow in Stockholm there have been some delays to the handling and processing of inbound mail. We have been informed that delays of 24-48 hours should be expected. Resolved (issue start date: 18/11/16)

Taiwan – Super Typhoon Meranti has caused a landslide South Eastern China and Taiwan. As result of this all mail operations will be affected in South East China and Taiwan for the foreseeable future. Ongoing (issue start date: 14/09/16)

USA – We received confirmation from the USPS on 21st November that since the start of October, mail/parcels entering the US through Chicago has been subject to specific checks from US Customs and Border Protection. This is leading to delays for some items whilst they are checked by the relevant agencies and this process could lead to delays upto 7 days. Whilst most mail enters the US through New York JFK, some items may be affected. Ongoing (issue start date: 01/10/16)

USA – We have been informed that the USPS JFK mail processing facility in New York has been experiencing significant volume increases over the last month or two. As such, some delays may have been experienced in the processing and onward dispatch of mail entering the US via New York. As this is the main entry point for mail sent to the US, this has the potential to affect most USA bound mail items. With Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Christmas approaching, mail volumes are likely to increase further. Therefore, please allow for the possibility of delays until further notice. Ongoing (issue start date: 01/10/16)

Yemen – All mail services to Yemen have now been suspended. Ongoing (issue start date: 27/03/15)

Zimbabwe – The designated operator of Zimbabwe, Zimpost, is currently experiencing IT-related issues which have been affecting the performance of the IPS system since August 4th resulting in delays to international mail. Ongoing (issue start date: 04/08/15)